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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Trillanes files cyber libel charges vs 18 'ex-Marines,' 4 others

Trillanes files cyber libel charges vs 18 'ex-Marines,' 4 others

Published Mar 23, 2026 02:06 pm
Former senator Antonio Trillanes IV on Monday, March 23, filed cyber libel charges before the Department of Justice (DOJ) against the 18 “ex-Marines” and four television hosts for false accusations they allegedly made against him.
“So, bawa’t interview na lalabas sila makaka-expect sila ng kaso laban sa kanila (So, everytime they have an interview against me, they can expect more charges against them),” Trillanes said after filing his complaints before the DOJ.
Named respondents were Belnard E. Tube, Rosebert M. Waupan, Benny S. Bulontate, Johnny A. Buduan, Rodante P. Orbillo, Reyneboy O. Julian, Christopher T. Esquivel, George O. Villalon, Jr., Romeo Rommel O. Bobares, Gil N. Navidad, Jr., Anselmo Taberdo, Joely G. Cadioa, Rommel C. Galapon, Cecilio S. Larroder, Jr., Bernard A. Gumban, Crisanie L. Dado, Fidel M. Corpuz, and Walter M. Manalansan.
Also charged were four SMNI hosts -- Byron "Banat By" Cristobal, Oliver "Coach Oli" M. Cristobal, "Master Judea," and Arjay "Pareng Arjay" Piodina, all of whom, Trillanes claimed “induced and provoked the malicious claims.”
The cyber libel charges stemmed from the Feb. 23 press conference held by the 18 “ex-Marines” with their lawyer Levito Baligod, their joint affidavit, their interview with journalist Jessica Soho that was aired on television on March 1, a March 5 press conference held in Pasig City, a recent interview on SMNI’s program.
Trillanes had denied having accepted suit cases full of money from former Ako Bicol party-list representative Elizaldy Co and that he gave money to representatives of the International Criminal Court (ICC) investigating former president Rodrigo Duterte over the extrajudicial killings that took place during the former chief executive’s drug war.
He said “it is a lie and they know that.”
He assured that the charges he filed are not harassment complaints.
“I’ve been in this road before. May mga allegations ako. ‘Di ba nilabas ko sa media? Kinasuhan din ako. Doon ko nilabas ang aking ebidensya. Ngayon nadismiss na ang karamihan (I had allegations that I revealed to media. I got sued. There I showed my evidence. Now, many of the cases against me have been dismissed),” he said.
“So, eto ‘yung pagkakataon nila. Kung nagsasabi sila ng totoo, eto ‘yun. Dapat wini-welcome nila (So this is their chance. If they are really telling the truth, this is their chance. They should welcome this),” he added.
Last March 5, Trillanes filed before the DOJ a perjury case against the 18 “ex-Marines” as well as of cyber libel and incriminating an innocent person against lawyer Baligod, former congressman Michael Defensor, former National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) spokesperson Lorraine Marie T. Badoy, broadcaster Jay Sonza, and vlogger Cathay Binag.
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